New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-23
CONTlGION SPREAD BY WAKES.

The HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LAX IN THIS
RESPECT BUT WILL NOW DO ITS Putty.
Persons who are caught violating the law against
pubic funerals in Of death from contagious dis
eases hereafter likely to receive as prompt punish"
ment as the courts can be induced to deal out. More
than two weeks ago Dr. j. b. Taylor, Of the Sanitary
Bureau, reported to the Health Board that dphthera
spreading and causing many destns In the city
ey OF the reckless OF children to
the disease He cited OF reckessness at wakes and
public funerals and suggested that steps be taken to
stop unlawful exposure Dr. Taylor had been informed
Of several public Of children who had died from
dphtheria There had been frghtful spread OF con-
tagon in each Ono inspector reported that he had
warned the father dead child that the public funera
unlawful but instead OF stopping the funeral the
father had threatened TO throw the Inspector out OF
thrstory window II he attempted TO interfere with the
services.
On Monday Inspector Disbrow found crowded funeral
in the rooms OF Thomas Geary at No. 524 West Forty
thrdsL Gearys foury earold daughter. Margaret had
died from diphheria Friday and wake had been In
progress Sunday In the big tenenent-house. Dr.
Dsbrow had warned the family against public funeral
and he was surprised to hnd going on under the
directions OF Undertaken Cody, Of No. 227 West
Forty secondst Dr. Taylor spoke Of the funeral as an
Monday and said to reporters that he would
violating the law which plainly prohibits such funerals
Yesterday Dr. Disbrow reported that he had discovered
had died from diphthera in tenement house in Fifty
secondst. between Eighth and Ninth aves He had at,
tempted the funeral which was being conducted
tho help OF undertaken named Rollins, but some
the Italians present had threatened to put him out
After hunting in vain for policeman the block, he
bad stationed himself In front OF the house. and had
warned number OF OF the danger OF contason
tho funeral number OF Italian women Win cnil-
dren entered the house aud atterward Oiled the car
which IN waiting TO 20 to the cemetery Dr.
Taylor mentioned the case TO reporters when
ed had been taken 10 arrest Undertaken
Cody and Thomas Geary on account OF the unlawful
funeral Of Monday DR. Taylor replied In the negative
Further inquiries established tho fact that the Health
Department made no serious attempt In years TO
prevent contagion from being spread ~ illegal public
iunt rails although children have beck dying BY thou.
sands every ye6r from dirhtheria scarlet fever and
other diseases There seemed 10 DO preu-
dice among the older members the department against
making In order to enforce law agansttue need
less slaughter OF children Colonel Prentice, the attor-
ney of the Health Board said in regard 70 reeen viola
tons the law that he had not been furnished win the
necessary proofs upon which 10 begin preceedngs.
President Bayes appeared TO be greatly shocked when
he the situation. and he said that the depart
men must enforce the law II possible After
he mad held q consulta ion with Commissioner Bryant,
for DR. Taylor aud orders for prompt arrests
and prosecutions In all OF unlawful funerals Dr.
Taylor told prepare such evidence as he had im
nediately and submit Il 10 Colonel Prentice. 10 order
tnst warrants may be applied for to-day Mr.. Bayes
that efforts must not no spared In future 70 make
examples OF persons who spread contaeion